LONDON - A British company, Dallex Trade, violated European sanctions against Sudan last year by transporting ammunition to the African nation.

While most European companies have upheld the arms boycott on Sudan in light of human rights violations occurring there, Dallex Trade shipped ammunition to the Sudan People's Liberation Army last November in defiance of the boycott, the Times of London reported Sunday.

The company is registered in London, yet remains a veritable mystery with hidden owners and numerous worldwide links.

The boycott violation comes after several Land Rover Defenders were found to have been supplied to Sudanese police, who have upgraded the vehicles with machineguns.

Witnesses said such vehicles were used recently by police in attacks on Sudanese residents.

The newspaper said the British distributor of the vehicles, Land Rover, has recovered some of the vehicles since and taken steps regarding their exportation to Sudan.